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You can only get Lyme disease from a tick bite — not from contact with another person.

M Phillips David/Getty Images

Every year, state health departments in the United States report about 30,000 cases of Lyme disease to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But the CDC says the true number of cases in the United States could be 10 times higher.

Lyme disease is an infectious disease transmitted to humans from tick bites. Ticks infected with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi cause the disease and are most active from April to September, which means spring and summer are the prime times for infection. But with the right steps and regular tick checks, you can prevent Lyme disease. It's also good to know that most cases can be treated and cured.

2.Not All Ticks Carry Lyme Disease

Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are the ones you need to avoid. These external parasites spread the disease in Northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central Midwest states, while Western blacklegged ticks transmit infection on the Pacific Coast.

3. You Can Probably Remove the Tick by Yourself if You Notice It in Time

To remove a tick before it’s too late, you can purchase a tick removal device, but a pair of fine-tipped tweezers will also do the trick. The CDC recommends that you avoid “folklore remedies,” such as painting the tick with nail polish or using heat to detach it. The goal is to remove the tick as soon as possible after you notice it, pulling it out steadily and slowly so you remove all of it, including the head.

4.In Most Cases, It Takes 36 to 48 Hours for an Infected Tick to Transmit Lyme Disease After It Attaches Itself to You

Nymphs, which are immature ticks that measure less than 2 millimeters (mm) in size, are the primary transmitters of Lyme disease. Because they’re so small, nymphs can go unnoticed in difficult-to-see areas such as the scalp, armpits, and groin. Adult ticks can also transmit the disease, but because they’re bigger, many are noticed and removed before they can transmit the infection.

5. There Used to Be a Lyme Disease Vaccine, but It Was Discontinued in 2002

The vaccine manufacturer said demand was insufficient, so production stopped. Because the protection given by the vaccine lessens over time, even people who received the vaccine are no longer immune to Lyme disease. Another Lyme disease vaccine candidate, VLA15, is in development.

6. The Most Common Symptom of Lyme Disease Is a Rash That Looks Like a Bull's Eye

In 70 to 80 percent of infected people, the bull's-eye rash, also known by its technical name, erythema migrans, will appear 3 to 30 days after infection. The CDC says the average time for the rash to show up is a week. As the rash spreads, parts of it may clear up, which is how the bull's eye becomes evident.

Other Lyme disease symptoms can appear from several days to even months after the bite. Some are flu-like: fatigue, headache, joint swelling, and dizziness. Other symptoms can include arthritis, irregular heartbeat, nerve pain, and memory problems, according to the CDC.

7. There Is a Blood Test for Lyme Disease

If done in the early stages of infection, however, most tests will come out negative. Baker says it usually takes four to five weeks for antibodies that fight Lyme disease to appear in the bloodstream, which means that anyone tested sooner may not receive an accurate diagnosis. A doctor will begin treatment if a patient shows signs and symptoms of Lyme disease without waiting for confirmation by blood tests.

8. Most Cases of Lyme Disease Can Be Treated and Cured With Antibiotics

Marina Makous, MD, a former assistant professor of psychiatry and family medicine at Columbia University’s Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Center in New York City, says antibiotics are effective for most cases of early Lyme disease if started in time, and the earlier the better. “It’s best if they’re started within the first two weeks,” Dr. Makous says. “But that can be difficult because tests won’t pick up on Lyme disease that early.” Antibiotics your doctor may prescribe include doxycycline and amoxicillin.

9. Lyme Disease Doesn't Go Away in All Cases, Even With Treatment

The CDC’s criteria for Lyme disease were established to make it easy for state departments to report cases back to the agency, Makous said. But she says the criteria are too narrow, and don't include an accurate representation of cases that persist, known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. The CDC says this affects 10 to 20 percent of Lyme disease patients. Symptoms include extended fatigue, pain, and joint and muscle aches, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

10. You Can Take Precautions to Prevent Lyme Disease

If you’re going outdoors in a shady grassland or densely wooded area, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease recommends wearing light-colored long-sleeved pants and shirts to make ticks easier to spot. Spray clothing with permethrin repellent, and spray DEET directly on your skin. Check the CDC's DEET information page to find out which formulations are okay to spray directly on your skin. Once inside, you should check for ticks in hairy areas of your body, and be sure to wash all clothing.